Lottery Numbers

No, they are not lottery numbers to bet on (but just in case you do win, spare me some change?). These numbers represent very good frameworks to help your life be in control.

10 / 10 / 10

When faced with a decision, give yourself a sanity check by using the 10 / 10 / 10 framework. Ask yourself, “Will I be better of 10 minutes from now if I do this? How about 10 months later? How about 10 years later?”

By thinking thru your options in the view of short, mid, and long-term perspectives, you allow yourself to connect with your core values (i.e. what’s really important in the long run?) and not just focus on instant emotional satisfaction.

This framework is great when deciding whether to purchase something, or take on a new job / role offer, or even whether to eat something or not.

80 / 20

Also known as Pareto’s Rule. It states that 20% of our tasks contribute to 80% of our output. For example:

If you have 10 projects at work, chances are 2 of those are the heavy hitters that will give you the promotion, or raise, or better job opportunities that you are hoping for.

If you look at your long list of things to do each day, chances are, a minority of them (the 20%) are the ones that will contribute most to your well-being and happiness

The point? Find out what’s the 20% of something that will give you the 80% returns.

30 / 60 / 90

When trying to accomplish something – especially if it is something big that spans across months or years to complete, give yourself the sense of urgency by using the 30 / 60 / 90 days framework.

Very simply, you grab a sheet of paper, divide it into three columns labeled 30, 60, and 90. Then start writing down what you will accomplish in the next 30, 60, and 90 days that will bring you closer to your long-term goal.

This is a great framework not just for individual planning, but also for simplifying and clarifying to your team what you want to accomplish together.

24

This advice comes from Bill Gates. It states that once you learn something or think of something, then you need to take action within 24 hours. You must apply what you learned within 24 hours or take one actionable step to push your idea. If you go over 24 hours, the chances of you ever doing anything about it will fade.

5 (or 3)

You can only play 5 roles in your life well. Some people even subscribe to just 3 roles. Whatever the number, the point is that our time, energy, resources, will-power, and talents have a limit. And so we have to choose the 5 roles that we will invest our efforts and time on the most. All the other roles should have less priority and only be done when there is spare capacity.

Lottery

I apologize if you actually thought I will give you winning lottery numbers. 🙂 But rest assured, if you take to heart these frameworks, chances are, you’ll hit the jackpot in life.